Creating Custom Properties in User Profiles in SharePoint Online

Introduction

In SharePoint Online, user profiles play a vital role in personalization, collaboration, and search functionality. By default, SharePoint Online provides several standard user profile properties like name, email, and department. However, you may have specific requirements to add custom properties to user profiles to store additional information unique to your organization. This tutorial will guide you through the steps to create custom properties in user profiles in SharePoint Online.

Steps to Create Custom Properties

Step 1. Navigate to the SharePoint Admin Center by using the link provided below: https://tenant-admin.sharepoint.com/

Sign in using your administrative credentials to gain access to the SharePoint Admin Center.

Step 2. Once you are in the SharePoint Admin Center, you will see a navigation panel on the left-hand side. Click on "More features" in the left panel.

Step 3. Once on the "User profiles" page, locate the "Open" button in the User Profiles section. Click on the "Open" button to proceed to the next page.

Step 4. On the new page that opens, select "Manage user properties" to gain access to the user profile properties configuration.

Step 5.   On the "Manage user properties" page, you will find a "New Property" button. Click on the "New Property" button to initiate the creation of a new custom property.

Step 6. Defining the Custom Property Details

It is crucial to accurately define the custom property details to ensure its seamless integration within the user profiles. Follow these guidelines:

• Property Name: Enter a unique name for the custom property, avoiding spaces and special characters. A clear and descriptive name is recommended.
• Display Name: Provide a user-friendly name for the property that will be visible in user profiles. This name should be easy to understand and informative.
• Type: Select the appropriate data type for the property from options such as text, integer, date/time, or Boolean. Choose the type that aligns with the intended data for the property.
• Length: If applicable, set the maximum length of the property to accommodate the expected data length.
• Policy Settings: Choose whether the property can be edited by users or restricted to administrators. Select the appropriate setting based on your organization's needs.
• Default Privacy Setting: Define the default visibility of the property in user profiles. Consider the sensitivity of the information and set privacy settings accordingly.

Step 7. After completing the custom property details, click on the "Ok" button to save your changes.

Conclusion

By adding custom properties to user profiles in SharePoint Online, you can tailor the user experience, enhance collaboration, and improve search results within your SharePoint environment. Custom properties provide flexibility and enable you to store and leverage specific information that aligns with your organization's unique requirements.